-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- There 's a standard Atlantic City itinerary : arrive at one of the many casinos along the Boardwalk , head straight for the card tables and slot machines , drink some complimentary cocktails and proceed to empty your wallet .

Sometimes it feels like it would be easier to cut out the middleman and simply hand over your money directly to the dealer because , let 's face it , the odds are not in your favor .

But do n't let this dissuade you from visiting Atlantic City . Even if you 're not a gambler , good times can still be had in this iconic Jersey Shore spot , which has largely bounced back from the devastation wrought by Superstorm Sandy .

Atlantic City falls somewhere in between Vegas ' glitz and Reno 's grime , and you can find a bit of either , depending on your taste .

There are a myriad of eating , drinking , sightseeing and shopping options , both inside and outside the casinos . So venture past the slot machines and try some of the following activities to see what AC truly has to offer beyond gambling .

Belly up to the bar at local watering holes

Sure , Atlantic City 's casinos offer a glut of nightclubs and ritzy bars with bottle service and pounding sound systems .

But for a cheaper drinking experience with more character , check out the city 's local dive bars and pubs . Many are open 24 hours for those who wish to imbibe until the sun rises .

You might even chat with some regulars at places such as Culmone 's -LRB- 2437 Atlantic Ave. ; 609-348-5170 -RRB- , a pleasantly seedy establishment a few blocks off the Boardwalk .

If you 're looking for some bar food to wash down your beer , try the Irish Pub -LRB- 164 St. James Place ; 609-344-9064 -RRB- or Pic-A-Lilli -LRB- 231 S. Tennessee Ave. ; 609-344-1113 -RRB- -- both offer wings , burgers and more , with a hearty dollop of local flavor on the side .

Pretend you 're an extra on ` Boardwalk Empire '

The Knife and Fork Inn -LRB- 3600 Atlantic Ave. ; 609-344-1133 -RRB- was a Prohibition-era speakeasy and restaurant .

It frequently played host to a gang of colorful characters , including the real-life Nucky Johnson -LRB- the inspiration for the HBO show 's Nucky Thompson character -RRB- , before being raided and shut down by the feds .

It soon reopened , and the restaurant is still going strong today , having been fully renovated and restored in 2005 . It 's an elegant place to enjoy a steak , some seafood , a martini or two and soak in the aura of the Roaring '20s .

Get curious about history

If you 're in the mood to do some historical sightseeing in the greater Atlantic City area , there are several interesting landmarks .

Just south of town , in Margate , sits Lucy the Elephant , a six-story high National Historic Landmark . Lucy was originally constructed in 1881 . Today , visitors can take guided tours inside the novelty pachyderm . Admission is $ 8 for adults , $ 4 for children ages 3 to 12 , free for children younger than 3 .

Margate is also home to Marven Gardens , a neighborhood of beautifully restored houses from the '20s and '30s . The Monopoly property , Marvin Gardens , is actually a misspelling of the name , an error Parker Brothers acknowledged in 1995 .

Absecon Lighthouse juts up prominently from the north side of Atlantic City . Dating back to 1857 , this is New Jersey 's tallest lighthouse and visitors can climb to the top for a view of the ocean and surrounding landscape . Admission is $ 7 for adults , $ 4 for children ages 4 to 12 , free for children younger than 4 .

The Steel Pier does n't look much like it did in the early 20th century , but it has entertained visitors for over 100 years and is home to an array of modern rides , games and food vendors . Single tickets can be purchased for $ 1 , or discounted books of 35 , 80 or 200 tickets are available .

Take a dip

The gently sloping beach along the Atlantic City Boardwalk is surprisingly appealing and clean . When the weather is nice , you can find swimmers enjoying the warm water and calm surf , as well as surfers and kayakers .

From July 1 through Labor Day , 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. , there are lifeguards stationed on the beach from Caspian Avenue to Jackson Avenue . So grab a towel and some sunscreen , and claim your spot early .

Look at the fishes , or catch them

The Atlantic City Aquarium is a great place to take kids -LRB- it also hosts birthday parties -RRB- , with exhibits featuring a bevy of fascinating fish and aquatic mammals . It 's located right on the waterfront at historic Gardner 's Basin , where you can dine at dockside restaurants and check out the Atlantic City artists ' colony .

Charter sightseeing , dolphin watching and fishing boats leave from the marina . Admission to the Aquarium is $ 8 for adults , $ 6 for seniors , $ 5 for children 4 to 12 and free for children 3 and younger .

Get some culture

It turns out Atlantic City is not entirely devoid of high culture . Artlantic is a project curated by Fung Collaboratives that turns vacant green spaces along the Atlantic City Boardwalk into temporary art projects that change from year to year .

The project began in 2012 and will last until 2016 . There are two art park locations , both an easy walk from the casinos , one between Martin Luther King Boulevard and Indiana Avenue and another on the Boardwalk at California Avenue .

Indulge

This year 's Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival takes place from July 25 to 27 at Caesars and features copious amounts of food , drink , parties and cocktails as well as talks and demonstrations from celebrity chefs . Packages are available to book now , starting at $ 250 .

Learn to gamble

This might seem like a cheat , but technically it 's not gambling . Some casinos , such as the Trump Taj Mahal , offer instructional lessons in their poker rooms . According to the casino 's FAQ , you can ask the shift manager to set up a free private or group lesson .

Who knows , you might learn a thing or two for when you decide to hit the tables for real . Of course , the house does n't like to lose , so maybe hold off the high-limit tables for just a little while .

Explore beyond the tables

There is plenty to do inside Atlantic City 's casinos besides gambling . Take in a music or comedy show , pamper yourself at an upscale spa , eat at one of the many posh restaurants or budget buffets or embark on an epic shopping spree . If consumerism is your preferred method of relaxation , you 've come to the right place .

The Quarter at the Tropicana is an Old Havana-themed cluster of shops , restaurants and nightlife , nostalgically hearkening back to the days of pre-Castro Cuba .

The Pier Shops at Caesars is another area where you can spend a few hours away from the casino floor eating , shopping or watching The Water Show , a Vegas-style water , light and sound extravaganza that pops off once every hour -LRB- check with the hotel first , it is occasionally out of service -RRB- .

Walk the Boardwalk

Finally , take a leisurely stroll down the entire length of the Atlantic City Boardwalk , a tourist attraction that dates back to the late 1800s .

On one side lies the Atlantic Ocean , stretching out behind the dunes and grass , and on the other are countless casinos , stores , novelty shops and fast-food joints .

This summer , free events such as a concert by country singer Blake Shelton -LRB- July 31 -RRB- and AVP pro volleyball -LRB- September 5-7 -RRB- will take place along the Boardwalk .

Settle in for some serious people watching .

A diverse mass of humanity descends every summer , from Indian-American parades to teenage skaters to extended families from Ohio , all enjoying the sea air perfumed by the scent of fried dough and cotton candy .

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Atlantic City has some of the glitz of Vegas and the grime of Reno

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It also has oceanfront lounging , a historic boardwalk and public art parks

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Venture beyond the casinos to discover this Jersey Shore destination